Articles
BLUEPRINT PROGRAMMING FOR YEAR-AROUND FORCING OF CURCUMA ALISMATIFOLIA
Article number
1000_27
Pages
209 – 216
Language
English
Abstract
The Siam Tulip or Patumma, as Curcuma alismatifolia is known, is a cut flower or potted plant that normally flowers in summer following sprouting of the rhizomes in spring months.
In the fall, rhizomes are removed from Thailand farm field conditions after they have become dormant, washed, separated and sorted by size, and air dried.
Shipping takes place in January-February.
Due to late planting dates, the flowers are not available for spring holidays such as Valentines Day, Easter, or Mothers Day or fall floral needs.
Previous research indicated that rhizomes could be stored in dry peat at temperatures as low as 15°C and forced up to 6 weeks later with no ill effects.
Over a three year period, rhizomes of C. alismatifolia were forced into early dormancy and held at 12°C for up to 8 months in order to achieve off-season flowering.
Plant-to-sprout times ranged from 4 to 6 weeks and sprout-to-flower times 9 to 14 weeks depending upon season in outdoor or greenhouse conditions, but were far more consistent in a growth chamber set at 28°C and 16 hr day lengths.
Late winter and spring flowering could be achieved for rhizomes planted in September through early December in Hawaii (northern hemisphere). Rhizome production in the southern hemisphere for forcing in the northern hemisphere could by-pass a need to incur expenses to cause early dormancy or cold storage.
In the fall, rhizomes are removed from Thailand farm field conditions after they have become dormant, washed, separated and sorted by size, and air dried.
Shipping takes place in January-February.
Due to late planting dates, the flowers are not available for spring holidays such as Valentines Day, Easter, or Mothers Day or fall floral needs.
Previous research indicated that rhizomes could be stored in dry peat at temperatures as low as 15°C and forced up to 6 weeks later with no ill effects.
Over a three year period, rhizomes of C. alismatifolia were forced into early dormancy and held at 12°C for up to 8 months in order to achieve off-season flowering.
Plant-to-sprout times ranged from 4 to 6 weeks and sprout-to-flower times 9 to 14 weeks depending upon season in outdoor or greenhouse conditions, but were far more consistent in a growth chamber set at 28°C and 16 hr day lengths.
Late winter and spring flowering could be achieved for rhizomes planted in September through early December in Hawaii (northern hemisphere). Rhizome production in the southern hemisphere for forcing in the northern hemisphere could by-pass a need to incur expenses to cause early dormancy or cold storage.
Authors
R.A. Criley
Keywords
daily light integral, degree days, flower-scheduling, ginger, Siam Tulip
Online Articles (83)